Mr. Bearns, Not Your Average Joe

He has been around for a while in QSI Shekou. Known for his colorful presentations in class, for his knowledge and interest in computer games and for his buffed appearance, this profile article could only be about our beloved Mr. Bearns.

Mr. Bearns was born and raised in the state of Iowa, USA. Besides going to school, he worked as a detasseler from the age of nine. “Detasseling is an agricultural job that kids do in Iowa at young ages” he explains. He also adds that it is a legal way for children to work there and they make a bunch of money for a summer job.

Mr. Bearns did some schooling at the University of Northern Iowa and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, he found himself with more coursework than he needed! He explains, “It turned out that I had a lot of credits in history and psychology, so I received my degree in those fields.”

Mr. Bearns left America to work in the economics department of the embassy in Moscow. “There were times I felt like I was in a spy movie; I got to experience some of the U.S. Government’s cool computers and security systems,” he reminisces.

He likes to spend his time lifting weights, playing computer games, running, and playing Ultimate Frisbee. But more than anything he likes to spend time with his two daughters.For his future he wants “to travel the world and continue meeting interesting people. I guess that’s a pretty simple goal, but it’s what makes me happy.” As to why he decided to become a teacher, “Once I had my degree I wanted to travel, and teaching internationally is an easy way to get to see the world.”

He has now lived in the United States, Russia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and China, and is planning on moving to Saudi Arabia next year. “It is not an easy decision to leave Shekou, but it is time for me and my family to move on. I want to say thanks to the staff and students of QSI-Shekou, I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching here and I look forward to hearing of the students’ future successes.”